Modification of epoxy matrix by whiskers of potassium polytitanate

Abstract

Studies show the possibility to directionally control the performance properties of epoxy composites by the use of small additions of whiskers of potassium polytitanate, the introduction of plasticizers of multifunctional action, and the methods of chemical and mechanical activation of composition components and the composition as a whole. This provides the creation of the next-generation epoxy composites with high performance (the breaking stress and the flexural modulus of 96 and 3150 MPa, the compressive breaking stress of 95 MPa, and the toughness of 18 kJ/m²), which meets the usual industrial requirements. In addition, the influence of potassium polytitanate whiskers on the structure formation processes of epoxy resin is established, which is shown by the increase in the gel time from 45 to 64 min and the curing time from 53 to 104 min.